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When councillor Claire Leitch met a man who was struggling to cope she knew he needed more than straightforward advice.

The Auchinleck mum immediately put into action techniques she had learned on a suicide prevention course.

She enrolled after she heard the number of people taking their own lives in East Ayrshire had doubled. There were 26 suicides in the area in 2019.

Speaking about how she helped the man, Claire, 28, said: “He displayed signs of distress. “He spoke very sadly about his life and how he didn’t see a future for himself. It was awful.”

She asked him if he was suicidal.

Claire said : “He told me he had thought of suicide for a while. He was shocked when I asked him. People don’t talk about it. But if you think somebody is thinking of suicide you should ask them upfront. When you are in your own head you wonder if there is a way out.”

After talking to him Claire got in touch with a worker to make sure support was put in place. She said: “Things were set up to keep him safe so I know he is fine.”

In 2018 , 26 people took their own lives in East Ayrshire the same number as last year. The annual figure has more than doubled from 12 in 2017.

During 2018, 20 males and four females lost their lives with the average age being 39.

Council and NHS officials alongside the police are now carrying out an investigation into the possible causes of the 50 most recent deaths in the area.

Claire is one of few politicians who has completed the two-day suicide first aid programme called ASIST late last year.

Within weeks she put it into action to help the man.

The East Ayrshire depute provost said: “It has been really difficult to hear about the statistics. It is sad to see any loss of life and the devastation left behind.

“People don’t want to die. They just don’t want to feel how they are feeling any more.

“Some people are at the end of their tether and I feel I am now equipped to talk to them better.”

During the course the participants were taught through role-play how to deal with someone who is on the verge of jumping of a bridge.

The council has launched a campaign called ‘here to listen’ to try and prevent suicides.They have released pamphlets with advice on how to get help.

Bosses are also encouraging council staff to take training.

Claire recommends anyone who is working with people in need of help should complete a course, which are open to the public.

The Ballochmyle councillor who represents Auchinleck wants to smash through the stigma associated with suicide.

She has chosen to support the Kris Boyd mental health charity as part of her awareness drive.

She believes social media also fuels anxiety.

As the Children’s champion for East Ayrshire Council she has spoken to school pupils about the dangers of social media making them compare themselves to others.

She said: “Social media doesn’t help. Folk see people on social media looking like they have amazing lives. We know they don’t but young people don’t know that. Don’t let social media fool you as nobody is posting their failures. Young people don’t consider that.”

Suicide is one of the main causes of death in Scotland today.

As well as ASIST a shorter course called safeTALK is available on helping those with suicidal thoughts.

To find out more contact the council on 01563 576360 or visit: www.choose life.net . If you need help the Samaritans can be contacted free on 116123.